Soldiers attack police officers, residents in Tamale

Some soldiers in the Northern Regional capital, Tamale went on a rampage attacking police officers and some residents earlier today [Wednesday], following the arrest of their colleague.

The attack occurred after a soldier tried escaping from police custody at the Regional Police Headquarters, following his return from court.

Narrating the incident, a journalist with Diamond FM, Mohammed Ibn Arthur said the soldiers launched the attack in protest of their colleague who had been arrested for attacking a taxi driver.

“A military man had a problem with a taxi driver, and he seized the taxi and beat the taxi driver up, so he [taxi driver] subsequently reported to the Police. The police picked up the military officer but the military protest the move, saying they will not allow that to happen.

“The military men were in an armoured car fully armed. They beat almost everybody they saw including residents.

Mr Arthur added that this about the third time such an incident had occurred in the area.

“This is about the third time this is happening just within a year. If you recollect, some three months ago, the Police arrested a military man who was misbehaving. They sent him to the cells, and the military did not take it lightly at all. They beat them up properly. The town was very quiet until we saw a statement from the Police indicating that calm had returned to the area, so I am not surprised this incident repeated itself.”